Eatery Specializes In Being Allergy Aware, Gluten-Free

BEL AIR, MD — An allergy conscious restaurant called Burtons Grill and Bar will be opening in Tollgate Plaza mid-April.

Twenty years ago, Burtons opened first in the New England region with seafood items such as crab-encrusted haddock and lobster rolls. But there's also a New York strip steak, superfood salad and Mediterranean chicken risotto on the menu. The 7,046-square-foot Bel Air eatery will be located at 609 Belair Rd.

"This location will be the best place to enjoy lunch, dinner, or seasonal outdoor dining in Bel Air. Join us for a delicious meal in our comfortable dining room or order takeout or delivery to enjoy at home," the restaurant stated on its website. "Our food is always made from scratch with wholesome, premium ingredients – including gluten free and allergy friendly options."

John Haggai, president and CEO, said employees use color-coded kitchen tools to help avoid cross contamination.

“Protocols and the awareness on the training is pretty rigorous," Haggai told WMAR. "You have to go through rigorous training and allergy training, allergy certifications. And depending on the level of severity of the allergy, obviously we take that into consideration. Protocols in the back are going to be much different. There's different food stations and colored cutting boards and tongs and equipment to make sure that cross-contamination does not exist in that environment because it's very important; if someone has a dairy allergy, you don't want to contaminate that with something else on a cheeseburger or a hamburger on the grill."

Haggai added that he's thrilled to be opening the new site in Bel Air.

"Having previously lived in the area, I am very familiar with the greater Baltimore market and thrilled to be joining it again," Haggai said.

The dining room and bar area can seat up to 218 guests. There's also 1,194-square-foot covered outdoor patios with lighting and ceiling fans that can seat up to 58 guests, while the private dining room can accommodate up to 38 guests. That area will be equipped with audiovisual capabilities for special events, business meetings and family celebrations.